The Home Office (National), Regional, and Area (local) staff and volunteers provide the required Troop support.

Program documents that guide registered leaders in implementing an effective Troop program are accessible at the start of the online charter process so Troops can begin planning immediately for their own launch.

How do I connect with people in my area if I am interested in joining a Trail Life USA Troop?

There are a number of ways to connect with people who share your desire to start or grow a Trail Life USA Troop:

Go to our Troop Locator page on the website. You can find Troops that are chartered or forming and register your interest.

Join the forum on our website at www.TrailLifeUSA.com under the “Connect” tab. You will need to create a login name and password. Then you can locate your state in your region and see if there is anyone in your area of your state that has posted their contact information there.

Check out the many Trail Life USA Facebook pages that have started to gather people together from different areas of the country. Perhaps there is one for your area.

If you are a homeschooler, see if you can connect through your homeschool association, as many homeschoolers support the Trail Life USA program.

Talk to your own church or another church in your community about starting a Trail Life USA Troop. Perhaps you could even serve as their resource to help them start a troop. There are resources for starting a Troop here.

I see on the Troop Locator that there is a Troop forming in my area, but there is no contact information. Why is that?

It is Trail Life USA policy that we only connect interested individuals with Troops which have been approved and fully-chartered, meaning that background checks, Child Safety Youth Protection training of the Core Leadership Team, and evaluation of the Charter Organization has been satisfied. Troops in the chartering phase have not completed this process and, in the interest of safety, we do not provide their contact information.

Will the home office establish affiliations with other like-minded national organizations?

Yes, we will pursue affiliated relationships with a variety of organizations. We will use these partnerships to provide expanded program materials and options for our Troops.

Is the home office working with various camps to provide locations for Troops to camp?

Yes. We will develop a password-protected Strategic Partnership Portal through which we can provide our local Troops access to information about Christian camps; national, state, and county parks; outfitters; and other strategic partner offers. This database will be searchable by category and geographical region. In the meantime, the Christian Camp and Conference Association is a tremendous resource to assist in finding campgrounds that you can use in your state and region. See them online at http://www.ccca.org

What makes this organization different from groups like Royal Rangers or Calvinist Cadets?

Although Trail Life USA is specifically Christian, it is interdenominational, with Charter Organizations representing Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox faith traditions. Plus, it has a strong focus on outdoor skills and camping. Our goal is to be the premier adventure, character, and leadership development organization for boys in the USA.

Why did Trail Life USA create a new organization rather than strengthening already existing programs such as Boys’ Brigade or Royal Ambassadors?

• Existing programs do not provide nationwide opportunities for boys to integrate Christ-centered faith development AND strong outdoor adventure and leadership programs across an interdenominational Christian platform. Trail Life USA is different in its methodology and delivery than other existing programs.

What is the end goal?

Our Vision is to build men of faith and character who will become godly husbands, fathers, and citizens.

What is the emphasis of the Trail Life USA program?

• Trail Life USA has 6 Program Emphases: Wisdom, Heritage, Teamwork, Leadership, Character, and Faith. Our program components support youth development, understanding, and practical experiences in these key areas.

How does faith factor into the program?

As a Christ-centered organization, our faith is woven throughout the program without being necessarily “religious” or “churchy.” From faith-building options in the advancement program, outdoor worship, to more in-depth discipleship opportunities, adult and youth members receive Biblical instruction and training in Biblical faith. As iron sharpens iron, so too will boys sharpen the faith of their peers. Adult Christian leaders will guide youth in the development of their faith and moral decision-making, as well as sharpen the faith of their adult peers.

Will the program be different if a Troop is chartered by a Protestant, Catholic, or Orthodox Charter Organization?

• From a faith perspective, each Charter Organization oversees its own program and emphasizes its own denomination-specific customs and theology. All Charter Organizations must accept the basic tenets of Trinitarian Christian doctrine and be in agreement with the Trail Life USA Christian Statement of Faith and Values. All adult leaders in a Troop must be Christian leaders selected by the Charter Organization, and they must agree with and abide by that same Christian Statement of Faith and Values.

Are non-Christian youth permitted to join a Trail Life USA Troop?

Home office policy allows for boys of any faith (or no faith at all) to participate in the program of Trail Life USA.

Local Charter Organizations satisfy the specific ministry goals of their church or organization. In some cases, that may be as an outreach ministry to boys in the community. In other cases, that may be as an in-reach ministry specifically to minister to the families or members of the local church or organization. Therefore, individual Charter Organizations may have more specific membership requirements that limit Troop membership to boys of a certain faith or membership in a certain organization.

Are Charter Organizations required to be Christian?

Yes. Our Charter Organizations are Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox Christian churches and organizations. Messianic Jewish denominations that worship Jesus Christ as the prophesized Messiah of the scriptures may also charter Troops.

Could a non-Trinitarian denomination such as Mormons or Jehovah’s Witnesses charter a Trail Life USA Troop?

Non-Trinitarian denominations do not participate in our program because our specific Statement of Faith adheres to Trinitarian doctrine.

Is this organization limited to the United States?

Initially, the focus of program development is within the United States. Trail Life USA depends on God’s leading to determine the long-term reach of its ministry.

American citizens stationed on military bases and other outposts around the world are able to charter Trail Life USA Troops if they can provide the appropriate Troop structure.

Foreign citizens can contact the home office for information regarding the possibility of implementing the program in their countries.

What is the position of Trail Life USA regarding homosexuality?

We believe that homosexuality is sinful and immoral, as is any sexual activity outside of the sanctity of marriage between a Man and a Woman. Consistent with this belief, we have specific policies that address membership and sin in both youth and adult members.

Who interprets how the Core Values are implemented?

The program itself reflects the Core Values and is approved by the Executive Board. In fact, it’s impossible to separate the Core Values from the program. They are intrinsic throughout the program.

The Executive Board resolves Core Value issues, and has the ability to revoke a Troop’s Charter if the Troop does not adhere to those values.

What is the relationship between the Troop and the Charter Organization?

The Troop is an active youth ministry of the Charter Organization, which owns the Troop and its assets. It is a true partnership that serves the Charter Organization, the Troop, and the community. The Charter Organization Representative serves as the facilitating church or organizational leader in overseeing the ministry, leadership, and activities of the Troop on behalf of the Charter Organization.

What is the basic Trail Life USA organizational structure?

A national structure is in place to support the efforts at the Troop level.

The national organization is divided into six geographical regions to assist with supporting the program on a regional basis.

Regions are further divided into Areas, within which a volunteer can assist Troops (generally within driving distance of his home).

The Area Team is overseen by a Point Man, who works with his/her committee of volunteers to oversee all facets of the program in that geographical area.

Is your program co-ed?

Our Woodlands Trail, Navigators and Adventurers programs for ages 5-17 are only for boys. Our Guidon program is for young adult men and women ages 18-25.

Do you have or can you recommend a program for girls?

We recommend our sister program, the American Heritage Girls. You can find more about AHG at www.ahgonline.org.